Rudi Rudi Rudi…I like to say Rudi three times fast, not unlike Barney Phife.

1963 Rudi Gernreich wool knit swimsuit

And there are at least three things that you probably already know about controversial 1960s designer Rudi Gernreich.  His muse was the raccoon-eyed gamine Peggy Moffitt.  He’s the one that created the “Monokini” (think topless) swimsuit–see iconic photo of Peggy below.  He was famous for his futuristic clothing using vinyl & plastic before even Paco Rabanne.

Last week, I visited the “Sporting Life” exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in NYC (AND the jaw-dropping Daphne Guinness show).  The sporting exhibit showed both the origins of women’s athletic and swimwear (not pretty) and the influence sports have had on fashion (think duck boot Manolos).  As they point out, why do you think it is called “Sportswear”.  Imagine my delight when, among the woolen knickers and tunics, there was a Rudi Gernreich patchwork knit tanksuit, dated 1963.  As a lover of 1960s and Rudi and Courreges and the gang, I was elated to see the cool swimsuit included.  Even more exciting was the fact that we have a Rudi Gernreich dress at cV from the same 1963 collection!  I was able to assemble a few other images from that season’s lookbook.  Let’s hope that next year FIT will feature an all Rudi show…

1963 Rudi dress at cV!

1963 RG Collection

Rudi Gernreich swimsuit 1963

TIME 1967

Rudi Gernreich's Monokini

According to cV Sommelier Jenny Benzie (Founder of Pour, Sip, Savor! Sommelier Services), here are 3 Ghastly Mistakes To Avoid If You Are Hosting A Wine Tasting…

So, you’ve invited a group of friends over, everyone is bringing a bottle and you want to make sure your wine tasting event occurs without any ‘flaws.’  Below are a few mistakes to avoid if you are hosting a wine tasting event to ensure you get a ‘Gold Medal!’

Dirty glassware can cause your wine tasting event to go from ‘Brilliant’ to ‘Dull.’  Here are a few tips to ensure clean glasses:

• Don’t just pull the glasses from your cabinet or a box – they will have a stale, cardboard smell.
• Don’t wash your glasses with soapy water – this can leave a film.
• Never use a paper towel to dry your glasses – this will leave an ‘off’ odor in the glass (and lint!).
• Rinse your glasses with warm water and gently dry by hand with a polishing cloth.

How can you identify what’s in the glass with distracting smells all around you?  Here are a couple of ideas to keep your wine tasting area odor-free:

• Do not burn any candles or have plug-in air fresheners in the room.
• Ask your guests (and you!) to refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, after-shave or other scented personal products.
• Do not use chemicals or scented cleaning products on the table where you will be tasting.
• And NO SMOKING!

While some like ‘hot’ tea or ‘iced’ coffee, seldom do they like ‘warm’ white wine or ‘too cold’ red wine.  Some helpful information on correct temperatures to serve wine:

• Champagne and Sparkling wines: 41-45 degrees F
• Lighter, more delicate whites: 45-50 degrees F; Heavier white wines: 50-55 degrees F.
• Lighter style reds: 55-59 degrees F; Full-bodied reds: 59-64 degrees F

It is easier to ‘warm’ a wine by cupping the glass in your hands than it is to ‘chill’ the wine by diluting it with ice cubes (gasp!).

That’s it for the tips. I hope you’ve found them helpful.  Remember, wine tasting should be an enjoyable experience and hopefully this advice will help you in preparing your own event!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 was a lovely day for a Garden Party.  Lilly & Pucci were present, as was most of Sconset….A grand estate, inventive cocktails, a happening DJ and models galore…all for a good cause.  As you can see from these snaps, a good time was had by all!

“Fashion in a Sconset Garden” to benefit A Safe Place.

Fashions by currentVintage + Cheryl Fudge & Peter Beaton Hats.  Many thanks to Gene Mahon of Nantucket’s Mahon About Town for fabulous photos!

We know, we’ve been there.  The invitations are pouring in and you haven’t a clue what to wear–or even how to decipher the dress codes:

“Festive”, “Cocktail”, “Holiday Casual”…

Take a page from Teka’s style book and look right on, whether you decide to go swanky or casual or uptown or down.

In the beginning there was black.  Chic, but lazy, black.

Add White.  So timeless, so simple, so minimal, so obvious…So wonderful, that the two inspire and are re-interpreted in myriad ways each season, each year.  Substitute any other neutral and you will have exponential style without sacrificing simplicity and ease.  Here, we offer a few random looks to show how variations on a combo so seemingly subtle can have major dramatic appeal.  Use basic black not so much as a uniform, but as a point of departure…

It’s all right here in black and white (and ivory and leopard and gray and gold).  They are simultaneously basics, classics, standards and trends!

2010 trends tweed & plaid

2010 Trends: Reindeer Sweater

Mad for Plaid??!  Ready for Reindeer?  We thought you might need a little convincing…

VOGUE says they’re in, but let our photos of how to wear this trend persuade that these retro fabrics and motifs are current, wearable and totally 2010.  Visit us at currentVintage to find your own easy Fall looks… !

Hooded Reindeer Sweater + Vintage Dooney & Bourke Saddle Bag + Bruno Magli heel = Who needs Dolce & Gabbana?

Plaid Pant + Vintage Tee + Modern Denim Jacket & Heel = No Longer Partridge Family & Totally On Trend

Andy Peay & Ehren Jordan at currentVintage Sinskey Wine Tasting

Thursday, we had Rob Sinskey, Napa legend, do a tasting at currentVintage.  The fact that Rob even does store tastings amazes me!  He has been established for 20+ years; he was organic before it was popular.  His wife, Maria, is a celebrated chef and cookbook author.  Yet, here they are, in my store, with their adorable daughters.  It’s all about passion and it’s contagious!  People turned out by the dozens; Rob talked to every single person about the wines, as he sampled them and signed the bottles of POV that are labeled with his own b&w photographs. All the while, his girls modeled angel-sleeve dresses and Candies.  Pinch me!

Thank God someone did, or I might not have snapped out of Sinskey-adoration mode and into my mauve ultrasuede maxi skirt adorned with felt grape bunch appliqués.  I quickly paired it with a Cheryl Fudge pink silk scarf halter and Lucite grapes necklace and moments later made my entrance to the NWF Gala, one of my favorite events of the year.  Within four minutes, I had lost my friend Robin and begun the 4 hour journey of international wine and food solo…ceviche and aligoté…duck confit and Alex Gambal Savigny les Beaune, Caymus and chocolate…

Nearly a week later, over all the flavors and voices and bottles that were swirling under that tent,  I most fondly remember Miner Family 07 Viognier  and John Arns 05 cab.  The viognier was remarkable, especially for the price (will be a mere $20 at currentVintage)—plump with honeysuckle, yet thoughtfully balanced.  Dangerous, really.  The Arns cab was sturdy, but lush, rich and velvety.  I was tentative in extending my glass—a big cab seemed like too much on a night of so many sips, but I was rewarded with a big smooch as soon as it hit my lips.

One would think that after the gala all would be sated and ready for bed, but not this crowd!  Ray Coursen (NWF Luminary of the Year) ordered several bottles of his Elyse Korte Ranch Zin, which is big and spicy and berry red, much like its charismatic maker.
And an hour later, there I was, belting out show tunes at the Club Car.  It was opening night, after all, and that only comes once a year☺

Elisabeth English & Maria Helm Sinskey at NWF Gala